✠ The Communion of Saints

Lives of the Saints

Friends of God who have gone before us in faith — models, companions, and intercessors for every age, vocation, and need. Their lives are the Gospel made visible in history.

Over 80 saint profiles · Feast days · Patronages · Confirmation name guide

Who Are the Saints? ↓ Browse the Saints ↓
The Communion of Saints

Who Are the Saints?

In the broadest sense, every baptized Christian is called to be a saint — the word simply means one set apart for God. When the Church canonizes a saint, she makes a definitive declaration that a specific person is with God in heaven and is a worthy model for the faithful to imitate. Canonization does not make someone a saint; it recognizes what God has already done.

The Church also teaches that the saints in heaven are alive in Christ and that they can intercede for us — not because they are intermediaries who stand between us and God, but because their prayers, united with Christ's one mediation, are powerful before the Father. Asking a saint's intercession is no different in kind from asking a friend to pray for you.

Saints come from every era, continent, culture, and walk of life. They include popes and peasants, mystics and mothers, scholars and shepherds, martyrs and monks. What unites them is not extraordinary talent or perfect virtue from birth, but a radical openness to God's grace — most of them struggled, failed, and began again. That is part of what makes them such compelling companions for the journey.

How Are Saints Canonized?

1
Servant of God

The diocesan investigation opens, gathering evidence of a holy life. All writings are examined for doctrinal soundness.

2
Venerable

The Pope declares that the person lived a life of heroic virtue. For martyrs, the Church instead confirms death in hatred of the faith.

3
Blessed

After a verified miracle (or martyrdom), the person is beatified and may be venerated locally. The title "Blessed" is conferred.

4
Saint

A second verified miracle (the first for martyrs after beatification) confirms sainthood. The Pope canonizes; veneration is universal and obligatory.

For Candidates

Choosing a Confirmation or Baptismal Name

When choosing a saint's name for Confirmation or Baptism, you are not simply picking a label — you are choosing a spiritual patron and a model for your Christian life. The Church does not require a specific method, but the following approaches have guided Catholics for centuries:

  • A name you already carry. If your given name is a saint's name, you may simply deepen your relationship with that saint.
  • A saint whose life speaks to yours. Read about several saints and notice which story moves you. A particular struggle, vocation, or virtue may resonate with your own journey.
  • A patron for your need or vocation. Saints are patrons of professions, places, illnesses, and causes. If you feel called to a particular work or carry a particular cross, a patron saint for that area can be a powerful companion.
  • A saint from your cultural heritage. Many national and ethnic traditions have their own saints — Patrick for Ireland, Kateri for Native Americans, Juan Diego for Mexico, Andrew for Scotland.
  • Pray about it. Ask the Holy Spirit. A name chosen in prayer is always well chosen.

Use the filter button "Confirmation Names" in the gallery below to browse saints particularly well-suited for candidates.

A Note on the Process

In Confirmation, the bishop lays hands on you and anoints you — configuring you more deeply to Christ and strengthening you with the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the mission of witness. Your Confirmation saint is your companion in that mission. In OCIA (formerly RCIA), a Baptismal name may be chosen if the candidate's given name has no Christian meaning or association, though keeping one's own name is equally encouraged.

Ask your pastor, deacon, or OCIA director for guidance specific to your parish's practice.